Highlights 77th Texas Legislature - Senate

___ HEALTH AND HUMAN
/Child Care
UMAN SERVICES/Child Care
77 th Texas Legislature
Teacher Education and Compensation Helps (T.E.A.C.H.) and Child Care - S.B. 1294
by Senator Van de Putte
House Sponsor: Representative Solis
Establishes Teacher Education and Compensation Helps (T.E.A.C.H.) pilot projects to assist in retaining
teachers in the field of child care.
Requires the Texas Workforce Commission to establish a pilot program to assist teachers in retaining
employment in this field and operate the pilot program in at least three locations throughout the state, one
of which must be rural, one urban, and one a community bordering the United Mexican States.
Child Care Development Board Abolished and Duties Transferred - S.B. 1496
by Senator Barrientos
House Sponsor: Representative Danburg
Abolishes the Child Care Development Board (board) effective September 1, 2001, and transfers its
responsibilities to the General Services Commission (GSC).
Changes existing law regarding the composition of a child care advisory committee to include two
representatives of nonprofit organizations involved with the delivery or support of child care services and
strikes provisions requiring the appointment of one representative each from the United Way of Texas and
the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children.
Provides that the standards of the child care program may comply with standards for quality child care set
by the National Child Care Association.
Requires GSC, in consultation with the Child Care Advisory Committee, to adopt standards regarding child
care services for state agencies or to determine whether a child care facility may be included in a stateowned
building.
Family Home Child Care Pilot Programs for Young, Low-Income Children - S.B. 1732
by Senator Cain
House Sponsor: Representative Tillery
Child-care management system vendors often place children in large child-care facilities which can bear
lower-than-market-price reimbursement rates. These facilities may not be convenient for parents or provide
the "home-like" environment in which children under the age of four thrive. Studies show that such an
environment is more conducive to learning and provides a continuity of care, due to lower turnover.
Raises the reimbursement rate for operators of family day care homes and provides for pilot projects in
support of these facilities.
Senate Research Center 106